Las Tunas.- Proud to be compatriots of Major General Vicente García González, the people of Las Tunas find inspiration in his legend of courage and patriotism, to challenge the difficulties of these times.

In homage to his birth, on January 23, 1833, various activities are held in student centers and cultural institutions to highlight that this son of one of the wealthiest families in eastern Cuba renounced all his privileges to dedicate himself to the cause of liberate the country from Spanish colonialism.

Although in the history teaching program his errors are still endorsed more than his virtues, the researchers of the territory have known how to exalt his figure as one of the essential pillars in the organization and development of the War of the 10 years.

He was one of the first to conspire against Spanish domination from San Miguel de Rompe, and to rise up in arms as early as October 13, 1868, to support the uprising of La Demajagua.

In the harsh conditions of the jungle he lived for 10 years and after taking his hometown he did not hesitate to burn it down, starting with his own house.

Thanks to his system of spies and informers and his expertise in successfully raiding towns and convoys, he deserves to be recognized for his gifts as a strategist and founder of military intelligence.

Together with Antonio Maceo, he opted to continue the war, and as a firm opponent of the Zanjón Pact, he was an essential man in the Baraguá Protest. And although he too has been robbed of that glory, his troops were the last to lay down their arms on June 6, 1878.

At the end of the war, he held the highest civil and military positions as President of the Republic in Arms and General in Chief of the Liberation Army.

Even his exile in Venezuela was followed by his enemies to assassinate him. Before he died, on March 4, 1886, El León de Santa Rita ordered his men to support José Martí and continue the fight.

Author: TANIA RAMIREZ

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